YouthNet invites applicants for up to Rs 50L MeitY support

Kohima, August 29 (MExN): YouthNet has invited eligible technology startups from Nagaland to apply for the MeitY GENESIS Matching Investment 2.0 Programme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and MeitY Startup Hub (MSH).

Under the programme, eligible startups that have secured or are positioned to secure funding from a qualifying external or private investor can receive matching investment support of up to Rs 50 lakh per startup, subject to the GENESIS Scheme Guidelines.

Neikepekho Shosahie, Associate Director of YouthNet, described the programme as an opportunity for Nagaland technology startups seeking to scale their ventures and demonstrate investment readiness.

YouthNet Incubation Centre, the programme's only implementing partner in Nagaland, is facilitating access to various MeitY GENESIS components, including Matching Investment, Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) and Pilot Funding Support. Several startups from Nagaland received financial and incubation support under different components during the programme's earlier phase, YouthNet said.

Under the Matching Investment Funding Scheme, eligible startups can access equity-based support of up to Rs 50 lakh on a 1:1 matching basis. The scheme targets scalable, technology-driven ventures in areas including artificial intelligence, deep technology, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, blockchain, fintech, edtech and health-tech. 

Startups can raise matching investments from qualifying venture capital funds or angel investors, including eligible SEBI-registered investors. Selected ventures may also receive acceleration support to strengthen operations, scale their solutions and improve market access.

Eligible applicants must be DPIIT-recognised private limited companies registered in Tier-II or Tier-III cities, with market-ready products and, preferably, evidence of early market traction.

Startups that have previously received support under TIDE 2.0 (Scale-up), MeitY EiR or SAMRIDH are not eligible to apply.

Applications will remain open until September 24, 2026. Interested startups can visit the YouthNet website and its official social media channels for detailed eligibility criteria, programme guidelines and application information.

For further details, applicants may contact Neikepekho Shosahie, Associate Director (Entrepreneurship), YouthNet, at +91 8119039063 or neikepekho@gmail.com.